Accreditation & Bar Eligibility

Massachusetts School of Law is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that
it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically
applied though a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one
which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through
appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable
evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity
is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the Commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a
whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the
competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about
the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission should be directed to
the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

Massachusetts School of Law at Andover is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). After it began operation in August 1988, Massachusetts School of Law at Andover sought approval from the Massachusetts Board of Regents. The Regents authorized Massachusetts School of Law to grant the degree of Juris Doctor in May 1990, only twenty-one months after Massachusetts School of Law opened its doors. Because of the Regents’ approval, MSLAW graduates are eligible to take the state bar examination and, upon passage, to be admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. In December 1997, NEASC awarded accreditation to the Massachusetts School of Law.

MSLAW students are eligible to take the Bar immediately upon graduation in Massachusetts and in Connecticut. After passing Massachusetts or Connecticut, they are immediately eligible to take the bar exam in New Hampshire, Maine, Wisconsin, California, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. In addition, there are a number of jurisdictions where MSLAW graduates are eligible to take the bar after practicing for the period of time listed below.

Jurisdictions where MSLAW graduates may be admitted to the bar:

Alaska: 5 years

Arizona: 5 years

California: Immediately after passing the Massachusetts Bar exam

Colorado: 5 Years

Connecticut: Immediately

Florida: 10 Years

Hawaii: 5 Years

Kentucky: 3 Years

Maine: Immediately after passing the Massachusetts Bar exam

Maryland: MSLAW students have received individual permission after admission in Massachusetts

Massachusetts: Immediately

Minnesota: 5 Years

Missouri: 3 Years

Nevada: 10 years

New Hampshire: Immediately after passing the Massachusetts Bar exam, or may be waived in via motion after practicing 5 years**

New Mexico: 4 Years

New York: 5 Years

Oregon: 3 Years

Pennsylvania: 5 Years

Rhode Island: 5 Years

Texas: 3 Years

Utah: 10 Years

Vermont: Vermont Graduates of non-ABA-approved law schools may request equivalency determination from the Board of Bar Examiners.

Washington: 3 Years + LLM from ABA-approved school

West Virginia: By individual petition to the “Substantially Equivalent Committee”

Wisconsin: Immediately after passing the Massachusetts Bar exam

This list is not exhaustive and, because states sometimes change rules regarding admission requirements to the bar, you should contact the bar authorities in the jurisdiction that is of interest to you to receive the most up-to-date rules.

* District of Columbia requires a 133 scaled MBE score
** Motion to New Hampshire Bar

Massachusetts School of Law's Mission

Massachusetts School of Law's mission is to provide an academically rigorous affordable legal education emphasizing ethics, advocacy, leadership, and professional skills. MSLAW provides an accessible and affordable legal education to tomorrow’s leaders in law, business, and technology who seek to contribute to their communities as advocates, lawyers, and leaders. Lawyers have substantial influence in our society and MSLAW prepares its graduates to use that power to help their clients and obtain the societal advancement that a law degree has traditionally provided.

To accomplish its mission, Massachusetts School of Law brings together a diverse group of scholars, judges, expert practitioners and other professionals to provide individuals from all backgrounds a rigorous, professionally advantageous, affordable legal education so that they can improve their lives and better serve their communities.

The Massachusetts School of Law does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, source of income, or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.

Massachusetts School of Law's Mission

Massachusetts School of Law's mission is to provide an academically rigorous affordable legal education emphasizing ethics, advocacy, leadership, and professional skills. MSLAW provides an accessible and affordable legal education to tomorrow’s leaders in law, business, and technology who seek to contribute to their communities as advocates, lawyers, and leaders. Lawyers have substantial influence in our society and MSLAW prepares its graduates to use that power to help their clients and obtain the societal advancement that a law degree has traditionally provided.

To accomplish its mission, Massachusetts School of Law brings together a diverse group of scholars, judges, expert practitioners and other professionals to provide individuals from all backgrounds a rigorous, professionally advantageous, affordable legal education so that they can improve their lives and better serve their communities.

The Massachusetts School of Law does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, source of income, or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.